Cytology of the Female Genital Tract

Abstract

Diagnostic cytology is based on the fact that cells exfoliated or collected from the cervix and the vagina reflect features of the tissue from which they arise. The main application of cytology to the female genital tract is in the early diagnosis of precancerous and cancerous lesions. Patients who have been treated for cervical cancer can be followed cytologically for response to radiation and recurrence of the disease.